We’ve seen it before – the well-known TV anchorman we’ve grown up watching on the news turns into a product pitchman. But a fictional TV news anchor? Don’t act like you’re not impressed. I’m talking about the partnership between the Dodge brand and Paramount Pictures – the much anticipated film ‘Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.’

If you haven’t yet seen the new spots, you are in for a treat. If you haven’t seen them all, you’ll be in for a laugh for some time to come. There are 70 different spots featuring Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy, starring as the pitchman of the new 2014 Dodge Durango.

During today’s ad briefing, Chief Marketing Officer of Chrysler Group LLC Olivier Francois explained that it’s a “unique way to showcase the cutting-edge technology of the Dodge Durango in a completely unexpected approach that is fresh, funny and culturally provocative.”

The humor lies in the fact that Ferrell delivers the pitch in the character of Ron Burgundy, an arrogant anchorman straight out of the 1970s, which means he has a bit of a different take on the many features of the Dodge Durango.

In one spot, Burgundy completely ignores the advanced technology of the 2014 Dodge Durango and instead concentrates on what fits nicely in the glove box.

In another spot, see him discuss the Dodge Durango’s 360 horsepower with a single horse:

That’s just two of the commercials. What’s next? More of the 70 spots will roll out in the coming weeks. All of them can be viewed on the BurgundyDodge.com. They won’t all roll out at once, so check back often. The spots will help build anticipation for “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.” You can also follow our Facebook page to see other video content. (Also, when you “Like” our Facebook page this month we are donating a $1.00 for each new “Like” to Breast Cancer in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month!)

Seventy spots may sound like a lot, but with a talented actor and comedian behind the wheel, the ads rolled off Ferrell’s tongue totally unscripted and ad-libbed. That’s a lot of content and a lot of humor.

The spots will air through the end of the year. The movie arrives in theaters Dec. 20. The 2014 Dodge Durango is in showrooms now.

When it comes to a unique and effective advertising campaign, you have to admit, it’s kind of a big deal.

The 2014 Dodge Durango gets a new eight-speed automatic transmission, revised front and rear styling, and an updated interior with newly available features like an 8.4-inch touchscreen display and a rear-seat Blu-ray player. Trim levels and equipment have also been shuffled.
Introduction

The Dodge Durango is one of our favorite options for a six- or seven-passenger SUV. The current generation not only has the roomy seating and polished ride that you’d expect in a family-oriented, three-row utility vehicle, it also has an optional V8 engine and impressive tow ratings that you typically see only on larger, more traditional SUVs. For 2014, Dodge (http://www.edmunds.com/dodge/) has updated the Durango to help it keep up with the competition in this price range. Although the even more aggressive styling is what you’ll notice first, it’s the less obvious changes that make the biggest difference on the 2014 Dodge Durango.

The changes in the cabin are particularly striking, as the Durango gets an all-new instrument panel and an updated dash that accommodates a large, intuitive 8.4-inch touchscreen that uses an upgraded version of the company’s Uconnect system to provide smartphone app integration, text-to-speech capability for text messages and a more robust voice control interface. High-quality interior surfaces abound, and much like its Jeep Grand Cherokee cousin, the 2014 Durango feels decidedly upscale for its class.

On the mechanical side, the 2014 Durango has a new eight-speed automatic transmission, which serves up impressively smooth shifts while providing a numerically small but still significant improvement in EPA fuel economy ratings. The new transmission also makes better use of what power the base V6 engine has to offer — although we’ve steered consumers toward the more powerful V8 in past years, a V6 Durango merits stronger consideration in 2014 due to its more energetic performance.

Of course, we’d still recommend the V8 if you intend to take frequent advantage of the 2014 Dodge Durango’s towing capability, which, along with its rich interior and unusually good ride and handling, is one of the best reasons to consider this SUV. However, the Durango doesn’t provide as much cargo room as most of its rivals. Well-regarded family crossovers like the Chevrolet Traverse and Mazda CX-9 offer considerably more capacity. We’d also recommend that you check out the Ford Explorer and Flex. But overall the updated 2014 Durango is one of the most appealing options out there for a six- or seven-passenger SUV.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2014 Dodge Durango large crossover SUV is available in four trim levels: SXT, Limited, R/T and Citadel. You’ll also come across Durangos with Rallye badging; the Rallye is an equipment package on the SXT. Seven-passenger seating is standard across the board; optional second-row captain’s chairs reduce capacity to six.

The Limited has most of the above equipment as standard but reverts to 18-inch wheels. It also comes with a remote ignition, leather upholstery, driver memory settings, a six-way power passenger seat, a 115-volt power outlet and an 8.4-inch touchscreen display with an upgraded version of Dodge’s Uconnect system. The latter includes voice control, text-to-speech messaging capability, emergency roadside assistance, streaming Internet radio (delayed availability) and 3G Wi-Fi capability (via an extra-cost contract). The larger touchscreen and related infotainment features are optional on the SXT.

The R/T essentially includes the upgrades of the Limited (minus the roof rails) along with a V8 engine, 20-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, xenon headlights (low beams only), body-color accents (similar to the Rallye), a power liftgate and an upgraded nine-speaker sound system.

The Citadel reverts to a less aggressive suspension tune and a standard V6 engine, but otherwise builds on the R/T’s equipment list, adding automatic high-beam control, automatic wipers, a sunroof, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an eight-way power front-passenger seat, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a navigation system with traffic updates and a Yelp-based search engine. All these amenities are optional on the R/T.

Optional on both the R/T and Citadel is the Technology Group, which includes adaptive cruise control, a forward collision warning/mitigation system and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alerts. Also available on these trims is a rear-seat Blu-ray/DVD entertainment system with dual video screens and an HDMI input. Options for the whole lineup include a towing package, a skid-plate package (except R/T) and an in-dash CD player.
Powertrains and Performance

The 2014 Dodge Durango is offered with either a V6 or V8 engine. While the SXT only comes with the V6 and the R/T only comes with the V8, the Limited and Citadel trims can be equipped with either one. Depending on the model, rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive is available. The light-duty AWD system is only available with the V6 engine. The on-demand 4WD system features dual-range gearing (which makes it more capable on rugged terrain) and is standard with the V8 engine. All models come with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The 5.7-liter V8 is good for 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. Rear-drive models are rated at 17 mpg combined (14 city/23 highway), while AWD versions are rated at 16 combined (14 city/22 highway).

Properly equipped, a V8 Durango can tow up to 7,400 pounds, while the V6 version tops out at 6,200 pounds — in either case, far more than most rival crossover SUVs can tow.
Safety

Antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, trailer sway control, front side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags are standard on every 2014 Dodge Durango. A rearview camera and parking sensors are optional on the SXT and standard on all other Durangos.

Models with Uconnect Access (included with the 8.4-inch touchscreen) have an emergency telematics system that connects you with 911 operators at the touch of a button and provides stolen vehicle tracking. Optional on the Limited, Citadel and R/T is a blind-spot monitoring system with cross-traffic alerts. Note that the available Technology Group available on R/T and Citadel models now includes a more advanced forward collision warning and mitigation system that automatically applies the brakes in potential collision situations.

In government tests, the Durango received five out of five stars for side-impact protection. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests, the Durango earned a “Good” rating for its performance in moderate-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact and roof strength crash tests.
Interior Design and Special Features

Modern and functional, the 2014 Dodge Durango’s cabin has been designed with families in mind. Regardless of trim level, the design is attractive and features upscale materials.

With this latest update to the Durango, materials quality is now class-leading, and the cabin has an uncommonly elegant feel for this class. The available 8.4-inch touchscreen display is attractive and easy to use. The gauges look better, too, with crisp graphics and a useful trip computer display.

The front seats are roomy and comfortable, but the standard second-row bench has rather flat cushioning (which helps promote a flatter load floor when the seat is folded) and doesn’t offer quite as much legroom as roomier rivals. The Durango’s easily accessed third row, on the other hand, offers a surprising amount of leg- and headroom (even for 6-footers) and is indeed more spacious than the Ford Explorer’s.

With the second- and third-row seats folded down, the Durango can carry up to 84.5 cubic feet of cargo. This is a respectable amount, but competing large crossover SUVs like the Chevy Traverse and Mazda CX-9 offer considerably more cargo space.
Driving Impressions

The 2014 Dodge Durango is distantly related to the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, and it shows in the way this nearly 5,000-pound vehicle drives down the road. Steering is responsive and the Durango is easy to maneuver on almost any road. On a long interstate cruise, it provides a quiet and relaxed cabin environment.

Low-end torque is not a strong suit of the V6, but once the Dodge Durango is moving, the engine pulls respectably. Midrange acceleration is adequate for passing and merging, and there’s a noticeable improvement in responsiveness with the new eight-speed automatic transmission. As expected, the V8 offers brisk all-around performance and a satisfyingly deep exhaust note on acceleration.

Many a small business owner has come to this realization—to succeed, one cannot simply be proficient at a single job; one must be expert at all jobs that come up. From master strategist to back-up delivery driver to chief errand-runner to head of new business acquisition (and on and on and on), the owner of a small business must often adopt as many job titles as there are jobs that need to be done.

In a perfect world, the small business owner would accomplish all of these jobs with help from a fleet of highly specialized vehicles, so that the perfect vehicle could be devoted to completing each job on the to-do list—a tough and rugged workhorse for chores demanding more muscle; a spacious cargo vehicle for the odd delivery or pickup; an efficient fuel-sipper for trips to see potential clients three cities away; and a refined and comfortable luxury vehicle for when those same clients want to ride along.

But the reality is this: Few small businesses can afford to operate a fleet of vehicles. And the good news is they don’t have to—not when extremely versatile vehicles like the 2014 Dodge Durango are available.

Best-in-Class Towing Capability

The new 2014 Dodge Durango offers an excellent solution for the business owner who needs a powerful, capable vehicle. Pulling a trailer to an off-site job or event? Not a problem with the Durango’s standard 3.6L Pentastar® V6 engine, and especially not with its available 5.7L HEMI® V8 engine, which comes with a best-in-class towing capability[1] of 7,400 pounds.

Refined Interior

Let’s face it—in business, appearances count. A smartly designed and well-appointed vehicle can say a lot about the person who drives it—not only that the person values his or her own comfort, but that he or she is also aware of and concerned about the passenger’s experience.

Current and potential clients might not ever mention your Durango’s available Nappa leather-trimmed seats or available class-exclusive Blu-ray™ DVD system[1]. But giving them a lift around town in such a refined and comfortable vehicle is another easy way to reinforce those ever-important client relationships you’ve worked so hard in other arenas to cultivate.

Great Fuel Efficiency (Up to 25 mpg Highway)

A new, fully electronic eight-speed transmission with Eco Mode is largely responsible for the expected nine-percent improvement in fuel economy[2] over last year’s model. Couple the increased efficiency with quicker acceleration, smoother shifting and a best-in-class V6 driving range of 600 miles[1], and from multiple perspectives, the 2014 Dodge Durango becomes the sensible choice.

Stay Connected

Successful small business owners take advantage of available resources. For the 2014 Dodge Durango, resources include the available class-exclusive 8.4-inch Uconnect® Access System[1] with on-demand WiFi[3] (available with paid subscription), an option that will help you and your passengers stay connected just about anywhere you go. Just be sure always to use your devices safely—if you’re driving, pull over in a safe area before you connect.

Coming Soon

The 2014 Dodge Durango will be available in late 2013. In the meantime, please feel free to learn more about two good resources for small business owners—BusinessLink® and On the Job Incentives—currently available from Chrysler Commercial Vehicles.